Table of Contents

Introduction Part One: From birth to big school (0 to 5 years) 1 A window to the world: How your baby hears music in everything 2 The power of lullaby: Why your baby responds to music 3 The endless song: Why your toddler just won't stop singing 4 Beat baby: How your toddler connects beat to body 5 I see, I say: Getting your child ready to read with music 6 School ready: How music helps children prepare for big school Part Two: The first few years of school (5 to 7 years) 7 The music of language: An overlapping network 8 Connecting the dots: Why keeping a beat is vital for reading 9 The social soup: How music helps your child learn control 10 Sound symbols: Why reading words is a process of reading music 11 Just pay attention: How music stretches each child's attention span 12 Comfortable with discomfort: How music teaches your child to love frustration 13 Spring-cleaning your brain: How music helps brain wiring Part Three: Bridging the gap between childhood and adolescents (9 to 12-14 years) 14 Confidence is king: How music feeds confidence 15 Wrong more than right: How music teaches persistence 16 Born leader: How music brings out leadership in children 17 I do, I understand: How music supercharges your child's memory Part Four: Almost an adult (12-14 years to adult) 18 Managing it all: How music helps children with balance 19 Seeking out the new: How music teaches children to crave new things 20 Calm thyself: Using music to enhance study and manage stress 21 Beyond school: How music learning is the gift that keeps on giving Afterword Acknowledgements Index

About the Author

Anita Collins PhD is an award-winning music teacher and researcher in brain development and music learning. She wrote one of the most-watched TED Education films ever made and appeared on the ABC TV series, Don't Stop the Music. Anita is music teacher and conductor at Canberra Grammar School, and Associate Fellow of Music, Mind and Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne.

Reviews

Dr Collins' exuberance and infectious enthusiasm shine through as she persuasively argues for the importance of music in every child's education. -- Professor Alan Harvey, author of MUSIC, EVOLUTION
Dr Anita Collins' insights highlight the irreplaceable role music plays in the full education of a child. -- Benjamin Northey, Principal Conductor in Residence of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra